Two Sides of Amersham, One Fascinating Story: A Guided Walk Through History

Have you ever wondered how Amersham became a town of two very different halves?

At the top of the hill, there’s the bustling modern town, shaped by the arrival of the railway and the dreams of a new generation of London commuters. Down in the valley, Old Amersham tells a much older story, with its Tudor buildings, historic coaching inns and centuries of remarkable characters.

And connecting the two is a beautiful stretch of ancient woodland, with a few secrets of its own.

Up and Down Amersham, a guided walking tour with Claudia Guides, brings all these stories together in a fascinating journey through the town’s changing landscape and history.

The adventure begins outside Amersham Station, where you’ll discover how the arrival of the Metropolitan Railway transformed this corner of Buckinghamshire in the early 20th century.

This was the beginning of the famous Metro-Land dream, when the countryside beyond London became an attractive new place to live, with fresh air, green surroundings and a railway connection to the capital.

But there’s much more to the story than suburban houses and railway lines.

Leaving the modern town behind, the walk takes you through ancient woodland, where peaceful paths lead to a hidden monument connected to Amersham’s extraordinary history of religious rebellion.

It’s a lovely contrast — a chance to enjoy the natural surroundings while discovering stories of people whose beliefs and courage helped shape the town’s past.

Then comes the descent into Old Amersham, where the scenery changes once again.

Here, among timber-framed houses, historic inns and the beautiful old High Street, you’ll explore the story of a market town whose origins stretch back to the Domesday Book.

Along the way, Claudia introduces some of the people and events that have left their mark on Amersham, from the wealthy brewing families who built their fortunes here to the much less comfortable realities of life under the Poor Laws.

You’ll discover how historic almshouses reflected changing attitudes towards poverty and social responsibility, and hear about one of the town’s most intriguing connections to a notorious 20th-century criminal case.

It’s a wonderful reminder that behind Amersham’s picturesque appearance lies a history that’s far more complicated, colourful and occasionally surprising than you might expect.

And perhaps that’s what makes this walk particularly special.

Rather than simply visiting individual landmarks, you’ll see how the different parts of Amersham fit together — how the arrival of the railway changed the town, how its older communities developed and how the surrounding landscape has remained part of its identity.

A lovely way to discover Amersham, from top to bottom

The tour lasts approximately two and a half hours, following a route from Amersham-on-the-Hill through woodland and down into the historic Old Town.

It’s a moderately paced walk with some gentle inclines, so comfortable walking shoes or trainers are recommended, along with a bottle of water.

And once you’ve reached Old Amersham, why not make a day of it? Stop for lunch at one of the historic pubs, explore the independent shops or settle into a café for a well-earned coffee.

For visitors travelling from London, Amersham is easily reached on the Metropolitan line or by Chiltern Railways from Marylebone, making this a wonderful opportunity to swap the city for a few hours of history and countryside.

Up and Down Amersham – Guided Walking Tour

Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours

Meeting point: Outside Amersham Station, Amersham-on-the-Hill

Finishing point: Remembrance Garden, Old Amersham

Tickets: £25 per person. Accompanied children under 12 go free.

Walking level: Moderate, with gentle inclines and woodland paths.

Private and group tours are also available in English and Spanish.

For upcoming dates, availability and bookings:

More Information and Tickets Here>

Because sometimes, to really understand a place, you need to explore it from top to bottom.